Isiolo, Kenya| Residents of Isiolo County have been given a long-awaited opportunity to air their grievances and seek redress for decades of unresolved land injustices, as a high-level delegation from the National Land Commission (NLC) commenced a four-day mission in the region aimed at addressing historical land disputes.
The NLC team, led by Commissioner Tiya Galgalo and Professor James Tuitoek, arrived in Isiolo to engage directly with local communities, collect testimonies, and verify claims related to land conflicts that have plagued the county for generations.
The exercise is part of the Commission’s broader national mandate to investigate and resolve historical land injustices that have adversely affected individuals and communities across Kenya.
Commissioner Galgalo, a vocal advocate for land justice and equity, underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every case is handled with impartiality, due diligence, and respect for all parties involved.
She emphasized that both complainants and those accused of wrongdoing will be accorded fair hearing.
“This process will be transparent and just. We are not here to listen to one side of the story—we are here to understand the full context, gather evidence, and ensure that justice is served fairly,” Galgalo said during a well-attended public forum on the first day of the mission.
The forum, held in Isiolo town, brought together elders, youth representatives, women’s groups, and local leaders, many of whom shared their frustrations over unresolved land claims, displacement, and encroachment.
Residents voiced concerns ranging from loss of ancestral land, fraudulent land allocations, to lack of proper land documentation and title deeds.
Professor Tuitoek, who is also part of the Commission’s team, revealed that 27 land injustice cases from Isiolo County have already been formally flagged for investigation.
He assured the public that all submissions would be escalated to the national level and reviewed comprehensively, with a final determination expected within seven months.
“This is a legal and evidence-based process. We encourage all complainants to present any documents, testimonies, or witnesses that can substantiate their claims,” Tuitoek stated, stressing the importance of robust documentation in the adjudication process.
Over the course of the visit, the NLC team is scheduled to conduct field assessments in affected areas to verify claims on the ground and engage with additional stakeholders.
These site visits are seen as critical in establishing the validity of complaints and identifying systemic patterns of abuse or neglect.
For many in Isiolo, the NLC’s presence has rekindled hope for justice and restitution. The region has for years been embroiled in complex land disputes fueled by historical marginalization, weak governance structures, and competing claims over land ownership and use.
Local leaders and community members welcomed the NLC’s efforts but called for swift and decisive action to end the cycle of injustice.
They appealed to the government to implement the Commission’s findings without delay and to introduce long-term land reforms to prevent future conflicts.
The hearings in Isiolo form part of the Commission’s ongoing campaign to address historical land injustices nationwide, a process that has gained momentum under the stewardship of dedicated commissioners like Tiya Galgalo.
As the Commission continues its mission, residents are cautiously optimistic that this intervention will bring long-overdue resolution, healing, and justice to the region.
Share This Post